Cyclone Murasu’s landfall brings powerful winds and flooding threat to Andhra Pradesh

Severe Cyclonic Storm Murasu began its landfall near Ongole in Andhra Pradesh at about 1 a.m. on Tuesday, according to the India Meteorological Department. The storm brought observed maximum sustained winds of 110 to 120 kmph at the landfall point, with heavy rain and powerful gusts affecting the south coastal region.

The India Meteorological Department said in its early-morning bulletin that the inner spiral band in the cyclone’s northern sector had reached land by 3 a.m. and that the wall-cloud region was also moving inland. India Today reported the storm’s centre at 2.30 a.m.

about 30 km southeast of Ongole, with the landfall process continuing. Forecasts cited by The Hindu had placed the crossing between Nellore and Narsapur, south of Ongole, between late Monday night and 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The storm was expected to continue north-northwestwards as a severe cyclonic storm, with winds of 100 to 110 kmph and gusts up to 120 kmph. The storm also posed a significant coastal flooding risk. P.L.N.

Murthy, head of the Cyclone Warning Centre in Visakhapatnam, said a storm surge of about 1.5 to 2 metres above the astronomical tide was likely to inundate low-lying areas of South Coastal Andhra Pradesh. He identified Bapatla and parts of Krishna and Prakasam districts as areas where the peak surge could be greatest. Murthy said the surge could begin three to four hours before landfall, raising the risk of flooding ahead of the cyclone’s arrival onshore.

The supplied reports do not provide a confirmed overall casualty or damage toll, but they describe early disruption in several locations. In Ongole, a statue of Andhra Kesari Tanguturi Prakasam Panthulu at the Prakasam district Collectorate collapsed after a large tree fell on it amid heavy rain and strong winds, The Hindu reported. A vehicle was stranded near Chintala village between Ongole and Kothapatnam after another tree fell across the road.

The district administration sent a special team to rescue those involved and clear the obstruction. India Today reported that heavy rain and strong winds uprooted trees in the Chirala region and disrupted normal life. In Puducherry, continuous rainfall since midnight was attributed to Murasu’s outer rain bands, which were also affecting North Tamil Nadu.

The report separately said Bapatla was receiving light rainfall. Local officials urged residents to remain indoors while the cyclone’s effects continued. Prakasam District Revenue Officer B.

Venkata Ramana said very heavy winds and rain were progressing through the district. Ongole Collector P. Rajababu inspected the district command centre and directed officials to clear fallen trees, restore traffic and repair damaged power infrastructure, including electricity supply in Kothapatnam.

The Andhra Pradesh government introduced a WhatsApp reporting mechanism through its Mana Mitra platform. Residents can send “Hi” to 9552300009, select “Services”, choose “Murasu Cyclone Issues” and register reports involving outages, fallen trees, collapsed walls, waterlogging and other emergencies. Evacuations were also accelerated in vulnerable areas of Odisha, according to officials cited by The Hindu.

Flights were disrupted, with 11 arrivals and departures at Chennai airport and 10 IndiGo flights scheduled from Gannavaram Airport cancelled on Monday. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said a state team was travelling to Andhra Pradesh to assist with relief and restoration.